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OUR FRENCH ALLIES 



EEVOLUTION 



AND OTHER ADDRESSES 



BY 



J. C. PU MPELLY, 



MORRISTOWN- - NEW JERSEY. 




" Here let there be what the earth waits for — exalted manhood. 
What America longs for is personalities — grand persons to counter- 
act its materialities. For it is the rnle of the universe that corn 
shall serve man and not man corn." — ilal})h Waldo Emerson. 






INTRODUCTION. 



The early history of a people is always its heroic period. 

In it material is always to be found upon which patriotism and 
loyalty best flourish. 

It is not so much a great accumulation of historical facts that we 
need as it is the vivid presentation of almost any incidents which 
will interest us in and acquaint us with the indomitable sj^irit of '7C. 

The writer, himself an enthusiastic and accurate student of the 
heroic period in American history, is entitled to our sincere and 
appreciative gratitude for refreshing our memories in so attrac- 
tive a way, as do the following monograms, of the great deeds and 
the greater men that underlie the splendid achievements of these 
United States. 

As Secretary of the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the Revo- 
lution and with a picturesque style in comjjosition he has every 
equipment for selecting and publishing salient bits of the Revo- 
lutionary daj'S well adaj^ted to teach us and our children of that 
great love of human liberty which has made America, the world 
over, a synonym for human progress. "H." 

Morristown, N. J. 
Nov. 1889. 



ADDRESS 

DcUvcred al a meel'Dui of the Wasliinf/ton Association, 

at Morrisiown, on Febnianj 2'J, 188S, 

HY J. C. rUMrELLY. 



Mk. Pkesidbjst anj> Feli.ow Members of the WAsmxci- 
TON Association;— 

On December 30, 1790, just Ki (hiys after the deiitli of the 
"Father of his Country, Congress by Kesolution and the 
President by rroehunation designated tlie 22d of February 
as a day dedicated to ]iis memory, and thus it is that from 
the land of granite and ice, to tlie liome of the palmetto 
and the orange, in e\ery region of oju' broad country, the 
heart of patriotism waiins to-day to the nanu; of Washing- 
ton. 

With this feeling, we, too, have assembled ourselves, and 
standing here on ground sacred to the cause of liberty, and 
in the midst of mementoes permeated with the spirit and 
wisdom of a time Avhich tried men's souls we tronld jhuj our 
Irihnte of honor not only to the founder of a nation, but to 
the memory of those of our own blood who fought and suf- 
fered by his side. 



6 

The time and place are both replete with inspiring influ- 
ences, and by their aid I hope to be able to give jou, at least 
an outlined picture of the great Chieftain who, on that 
bleak first of December, 1779, entered these portals as the 
honored guest of Mrs. Theodosia Ford. 

Speaking of Washington as a strategist, General Car- 
rington, in his address before the New Jersey Historical 
Society, says, "The term retreat is a misnomer for Wash- 
ington's march to the Delaware. It was not a retreat but 
only the part of a great strategic plan." Ilemembering tln" 
necessities and perils of the situation in New York, and 
how impossible it was for Washington to do otherwise 
than he did, I cannot go thus far, but one thing is very 
sure, from the time the war took definite shape until the 
final stroke at Yorktown, New Jersey became the Head- 
quarters of American resistance — the strategic centre and 
the chief battle field of the Eevolutiou. 

Ever mindful of Howe's true policy and the value of New 
York to the British Crown, Washington conceived and 
wrought out a counter policy, and with unexcelled wisdom 
he concentrated all the possibilities of a successful resis- 
tance to the enemy Avithin a space so small, yet Avitli fast- 
nesses so unassailable, and a plan of obst^rvation so com- 
plete, that, as Botta the historian, says: "By an army al- 
most reduced to extremity PhilacMpMa was saved, Pennsyl- 
vania j^i'otcctecl, New Jersey recovered, and a victorious army 
laid under the necessity of (putting all thought of acting- 
offensively in order to defend itself." 



Such, in a few words, was Washington as a strategist, and 
it is the pride of every Jerse\nian that here, within a radius 
of hardly one hundred miles, was the arena upon which 
were enacted the cAents which were to change the whole 
future of a nature. "No nobler ligure," says (iladstone, 
speaking of the great commander, "ever stood in the fore- 
front of a nation's life," and it was in those days here in 
Morristown, the \'ery darkest before the dawn, Avhen the 
character of the man was most severely tried and his great 
attributes as a leader of men made manifest. 

At that date Washington was 47 years of age, in stat- 
ure over six feet, perfectly erect, of marked bearing and 
noUility of presence, and, as Jefferson says, "the best horse- 
man of his age." His eyes were gray, his hair hazel-brown, 
his complexion light and his countenance severe and 
thoughtful, while his person and whole deportment exhib- 
ited an unaii\}cted and indescribable dignity unmingled 
with haughtiness, of which all who approached him were 
sensible. In this connection Hie New Jersey Gazette of 
Dec. Gtli, 1779, contains the following, from an English cor- 
respondent: — "Washington is a tall, well made man, 
rather large boned, with features numly and bold, eyes of 
a bluish cast and very lively ; hair a deep brown, face long 
and marked with smallpox ; complexion sunburnt, and his 
countenance sensible, composed and thoughtful. There is 
a remarkable air of dignity about him, with a striking de- 
gree of gracefulness. He has an excellent understanding 
without nuich ([uickncss ; is strictly just, vigilant, gen- 



8 

erous ; an uftectioiiatc ImsbaDd, a faithful friend, a father 
to the deserving- soldier, gentle in his manners, but rather 
reserved. Is a total stranger to religious i)rejudices, but 
in bis morals irreproachable and was never known to ex- 
ceed the bounds of temperance. Candor, sincerity, affabil- 
ity and simplicity seem to be the striking features of his 
character, until an occasion offers of displaying the most 
determined bravery and independence of spirit." 

In his moral aspect he was no saint, and by no means, 
as one writer puts it, "well nigh sui)er-human," For while 
his integrity and virtue were tirmly based in a truly relig- 
ious faith, yet he was a man of very strong passions, and 
as Jefferson says: "showed himself on several occasions 
'tremendous in his wrath.'" 

It has been circumstantially stated that when the militia, 
in New York, in the Fall of '7(5 turned and ran, and again 
at the time of Lee's disobedience at Monmouth, AVashing- 
ton was transported with passion and swore roundly. 
Possibly he did, for on the two occasions in (pio'stion, he 
was sorely tried. 



9 

No doubt niiich of that power in word and pen, which 
inspired those about him to enchire, and to do as they did 
in this terrible winter, sprang from his passionate, but usual- 
ly subjugated nature. In this respect he resembles most of 
(he great men wlio have moved and controlled their fellow 
men to the accomplishment of great deeds. 

One of those traits of character, which (next to unyield- 
ing lirmuess and a freedom from jealousy almost unknown 
in celebrated captains) peculiarly distinguished Washing- 
ton w-AHii 2)unetiUous exactness as to money matters, and nhnv 
sense of justice, where not alone his own but the rights of 
others were concerned. 

When he took up his residence in this Ikuisc, and accei)- 
ted the freely ottered hospitality of the widow, Theodosia 
Ford, he made an inventory of all articles which were a[>- 
l»ropriated to his use, and when about to dei)art in ,June 
17S0, he in(iuired of his hostess whether everything had 
been returned to her. Her reply was, " Ali but one silver 
table-spoon." The General made due note of the loss, and 
not long afterwards she received from him a note, inclosing 
the identical spoon. 

Major Gibbs (the same, I sup[)ose, who was in command 
of the "Life Guards") was caterer to the General's house- 
hold for some years, and in Washington's personal book 
of account with the United States (a fac simUe of which 
is in our ^rorristoAvn Library) occurs the following 
entry • — 

"May lath- By Gash - - . l. Il,'J-J(j h." 



10 

and this foot-note : "This sum stands in my ac- 
count as a credit to the public, but 1 can tind no charge 
against me in any of the public offices. Where the mistake 
lies I know not, but I wish it could be ascertained, as I 
have no desire to injure or be injured." 

Without doubt this roof has sheltered more of the faui- 
ous men of the Eevolution than any other in our land. 
Generals, Statesmen, Foreign Envoys and members of the 
Continental Congress, all gathered here to meet the great 
rebel chief. Of the latter's own band of co-patriots, there 
was the requient Quaker but Naliant General, Xathaniel 
Greene; the able artillerist Knox, "Mad" Anthony Wayne 
the hero of Stony Point, the veteran disciplinarian Steu- 
ben, the polished Kosciuszko, thebrilliant Alexander Ham- 
ilton, the accomplished Stirling; also there was the hero 
of Bennington elohn Stark, and Washington's Chief of 
Engineers, the talented Chevalier Duportail — of the French 
Engineers — who was made a Major General for his services 
at the Siege of Yorktown. A group unparalleled in the 
world, and its grand central tigure was the man, the anni- 
versary of whose birth, we are here to commemorate to-day. 

Prof. Lieber says of him : "He appears to us the brave 
historic model of immaculate patriotism, a man not bril- 
liant, but sound to the inmost recess of his large heart." 
As an instance of this we can but recall the brave but 
kindly words in which Washington re[>rimanded the traitor, 
Arnold, whose Court Martial here at the Norris Tavern, 
was one of the most important events of that most distress- 
ing winter. 



11 

"Never," sajs one writer, "was the sword of justice 
more delicately tempered, and a smoother wound given to 
an irritable conscience, than when wielded by the hand of 
the Commander-in-Chief on this occasion." 

Washington has been wrongfully called by one of our 
late writers a cold and austere man. Certainly there was 
a certain dignity and majesty about him, which did not 
belong ordinarily to men, and then, too, as Professor Lie- 
ber says, no endearing names were bestowed upon him by 
his soldiers; and yet, while in this very house, so intense 
was his anxiety and sympathy for the sutferings of his 
brave troops, then encamped at Kimble Hill, he wrote to 
President Eeed, of Pennsylvania, entreating aid and sup- 
plies to keeiJ his army from disbanding, saying, "We have 
never experienced a like extremity at any period of the 
war." (Life of Eeed, II. 189.) Again he wrote, on Janu- 
ary 8th, "The troops, both otiicers and men, have been al- 
most perishing wdth want," yet feelingly he added, "they 
have borne their sufferings with a patience that merits the 
approbation and ought to excite the symi)athies of their 
countrymen." 

To Schuyler he wrote: "Sometimes the army has been 
live or six days together without bread; at other times as 
many days without meat, and once or twice two or three 
days without either. I hardly thought it possible at one 
period that we should be able to keep the army together, 
uor could it have been done, if not for the exertions of the 
magistrates of the sev^eral Counties of this State, on whom 
I was obliged to call." 



12 

It must be remeiiibeied too, that, though tlieso troops 
arrived December 14th, it was not until two months after- 
wards that the huts were completed, so that they could be in 
anyway sheltered. Of the money, Marshall in Vol. IV, 
of his Life of Washington, says: "The pay of a Major 
(Jeneral would not have compensated an express ri- 
der; that of a Captain would not have furnished the shoes 
in which he marched to lead his company against the 
enemy." 

It is needless to add that many of the [)0()i' soldiers had 
neither money nor shoes, and it was told to me by a former 
emi)loyee at these Headquarters, that Washington once— 
so Mrs. Ford informed him — noticed such a barefooted 
patriot passing the house and immediately went to his 
rooms and brought out a pair of shoes, having an excellent 
pair of buckles on them. Noticing these last, but not re- 
moving them, he gave the shoes to the grateful soldier with 
the one injunction, "Take them, my man, but do not sell 
the buckles for rum." The great Commander's unseltish 
thoughtfulness for others was marked by many incidents 
in the life here at Headciuarters, as his symi)athetic care 
for the young soldier Ford who was brought home wound- 
ed, and the careful way in which when an alarm was 
sounded and the Life Guards would prei)are to barricade 
the house, he would go into tlie rooms of Lady Washington 
and Airs. Ford, draw closer the curtains of their bed and 
cheer them by w ords of encouragement. 

Those indeed were bitter days, and yet amid them all 



13 

the great Commander never lost courage or faltered in bis 
faith. At that ink-stained desk in the office, or at the dis- 
patch table in the parlor, be sat and penned letters of ad- 
vice and encouragement to a hesitating Congress, and to 
vacillating Governors, which for depth of judgment and 
fervor of zeal have never been surpassed. 

And so it was, that more and more through these weeks 
of cold, fatigue, distress and starvation, the men he led 
learned how wholly his heart was with them, and in return 
gave him their devoted service. They knew that whatever 
else might freeze, there was nothing cold about their dig- 
nified and stately, but slightly excitable General. And, 
so lirin was his nature, intrigues could not destroy him, 
and every assailing force would shatter like earthen- 
ware as soon as it came into collision with the solid fabric 
of his character. 

The most interesting evidence of this dignity of charac- 
ter is in'obably found in the letters of those French officers 
(to whom we owe so much) and the reports of the French 
Diplomats. All of which go to show that he was really 
•more than a soldier, more than an ordinary man; also, that 
there was a certain majesty and power in his nature, which 
in God's providence assured the success of the Government 
from the moment he took it in hand. But this assurance 
might have been barren indeed, if it had not been for those 
indefatigable French Allies, among whom especially to be 
remembered is Vice- Admiral Comte d' Estaiug, who at the 
close of the Revolution commanded the combined land and 



14 

naval forces of France and Spain, and so threatened the 
safety of the West Indies, that George III and Lord North 
were constrained to acknowledge onr indepeidence. 

Like Lafayette, d' Estaing recognized that Washington 
was at all times planning for the nltiniate founding and 
creating, out of the thirteen disjointed Colonies, a nation 
which should hold in its hands the destiny of a great peo- 
ple, if not the destiny of the whole world. It is in this light 
I would have Washington always appear in the minds and 
hearts of every youth in this country; and to this end I 
would have every school in the land so thoroughly Ameri- 
canized that each one would become a nursery oi patriot- 
ism, and thus aid in eliminating from our midst those pes- 
tiferous ideas which have become so freely imported froni 
the heer cellars and socialistic conclaves of Europe. 

But so far the picture I have tried to outline for you has 
been unrelieved by one single humorous incident ; and yet 
there were lights, as well as shadows, in the life those heroes 
led here amid the snow clad hills of Morris. Would that we 
could in imagination look in upon the group of officers, as 
they gathered about their Chief, at "Orderly Hours" in the 
old log cabin headquarters, or sat around that old table in 
the dining-room. Possibly the following letter written 
about that time to "Smythe's Journal," in InTcw York, may 
help to lighten somewhat the sombreness of the scene: — 

" Thirteen is a number peculiarly belonging to the rebels. 
A party of naval prisoners, lately returned from Jersey, 
say 'That the rations among the rebels are thirteen dried 



15 

clams per day ; that the titular Lord Stirling takes thirteen 
glasses of grog every morning, has thirteen enormous rum- 
bunches on his nose, and that (when dulj' impregnated) he 
always makes thirteen attempts before he can walk ; that 
Mr. Washington has thirteen toes on his feet (the extra ones 
having grown since the Declaration of Independence,) and 
the same number of teeth in each jaw; that the Sachem 
Scuyler has a to])-knot of thirteen stiff hairs, which erect 
themselves on thi^ crown of his head when he grows mad ; 
that old Putnam had thirteen pounds of his posteriors bit 
off in an encounter with a Connecticut bear ('twas then 
he lost the balance of his mind;) that it takes thirteen 
Congress paper dollars to ('((uai one i)eiiny sterling; that 
Polly Wayne was Just thirteen hours in subduing Stony 
Point, and as many seconds in leaving it ; that a well or- 
ganized rebel household has thirteen children, all of whom 
expect to be Generals and members of the High and Mighty 
Congress of the 'Thirteen United States,' when they attain 
thirteen years; that Mrs, Washington has a mottled Tom 
cat (which she calls in a complimentary way 'Hamilton') 
with thirteen yellow rings around his tail, and that his 
flaunting it suggested to the Congress the adopting of the 
same number of stripes for the rebel flag.' " 

But my discourse, all insufficient as it is, has already 
been protracted unduly and I nuist close. 

Among all the conspicuous names which will be honored 
to-day let us remember with tender gratitude that (and I use 
the words of our favorite historian. President Tuttle,) each 



16 

old parish in our County has its heroes, and each old church 
was a shrine at which brave men and women bowed in 
Ciod's fear, consecrating- their all to their country." 

So, instead of referring our children to Greek and Ko- 
man patriots, we have but to call up for them the names 
of our own men and woman, who have here amid the hills 
of Morris wrought out for us this heritage, so much grander, 
so much nobler than they themselves ever dreamed. 
And whatever betide and in (^very ])eril h^t us remember 
WashuKjton. 

'* L^t his great example stand colossal seen of every 

land, 
And keep the soldier lirm, the statesman pure ; 
Till in all lands and through all human story 
The path of Duty be the way to Glory." 

Washington's Headquarters, 
Morristown, Feb, 22nd, 1888. 



Our French AllievS in the Revolution. 



J. C. PUMPELLY 



Read hefore the New Jersey Rlstorical Society, at Trenton, 
January 22, 1889. 



"I am proud of France," wrote Pere Hyacinthe to an 
American clergyman ; "I am proud of France, but I deem 
it as one of her most solid glories to have contributed to the 
independence of your noble country." 

This eloquent utterance voices the sentiment which 
Frenchman generally have entertained toward the United 
States. The love of freedom glowed alike in the heart of 
both peoples from the time of the first resistance in America 
to the tyrannous impositions of Great Britain. Indeed, 
the time was ripe for them to fraternize. But three days 
before the British troops had entered Boston to suppress 
the kindling spirit of liberty, the death of an unworthy 
king and the succession of another more excellent and de- 
serving had given heart to the friends of freedom in France 
and delivered their country from impending ruin. 

17 3 



18 

The writings of French litterateurs had been preparingthe 
public mind for a new departure in religious, social and gov- 
ernmental aifairs. The men and women of culture and re- 
linement were eagerly contemplating the advent of a period 
when the hoary despotism of the Middle Ages should pass 
away, and be succeeded by the dawn and noonday of civil 
and spiritual freedom for mankind. Such men as our be- 
loved Marquis de La Fayette had caught the inspiration 
and were prompt to contribute both wealth and influence, 
and to unsheath their swords to help bring forward the 
coming epoch. To them the first clash of arms in New 
England was the signal for action, and they hastened to 
give their aid and personal service. Others more reflective 
and conscious of responsibility directed their endeavors 
toward the impelling of a reluctant government to take part 
in the great conflict, and co-operate with the Americans in 
their unequal struggle. The new theories which the sa- 
vants and ijublicists of France had inculcated, thus brought 
forth their fruit, thirty, sixty, and an hundred fold. These 
men indeed built wiser than they knew. 

The good understanding between France and America 
has ever since been regarded by far-seeing minds as of vital 
importance to both countries. Edmond About, in his 
passionate arraignment of the Emperor Napoleon III, 
breaks out into the following invective: "The great Amer- 
ican Republic was from the beginning the friend and ally of 
France. You constrained it to forget that it owes its 
existence to France." 



19 

In this declaration we have the exact statement of the 
sentiment which prevails among leading minds in that 
country. They are vividly awake to the urgent necessity 
of the most cordial relations between the two peoples, a 
sentiment which we should most fully reciprocate. At the 
same time our excellent friends do not hesitate to remind 
us very significantly of our indebtedness to them in the 
struggle for national independence. They love to echo the 
sentiment of Minister Genet to Secretary Jefferson: "But 
for France, Americans would now be vassals to England." 

We may plead in extenuation of this claim, that France 
had already shown herself unable to co[>c with Great Britain 
and her colonies upon this Continent. In the Seven Tears' 
War, which was ended with the Treaty of Paris, in 1763, 
she had been shorn of her vast possessions in Asia and 
America, and obliged to raze her fortifications at Dunkirk 
and submit to the indignity of a resident English Commis- 
sioner at that place, whose word was law. We may readily 
presume that her statesmen deeply resented these humili- 
ations, and were on the alert to foster any movement that 
would assure revenge upon their triumphant adversary. 

It is certain that Baron JohnDe Kalb traveled extensively 
in the British Colonies during the interval between the 
Treaty of Paris and the outbreak of the American Eevolu- 
tion. He made himself familiar with the prevailing public 
sentiment, and kept the French Ministry appraised of his 
observations. A change of Ministers for a time suspended 
his correspondence ; but we may be confident that France, 



20 

finding herself unable to maintain her foot-hold upon this 
Continent, was watching her opportunity to uproot the 
British Dominion in her turn. The irritation in the 
Colonies at the prohibition of the trade witli European coun- 
tries and the West Indies, and the arbitrary suppression of 
manufacturing industries, was now brought to a crisis by 
direct taxation and the introduction of soldiery into the 
Province of Massachusetts. 

Turgot, perhaps one of the most far-seeing of the French 
statesmen, and very similar in character to our own Wash- 
ington, was awake to the portents of the time. As early 
as April, 177G, he predicted to the Ministers of the French 
King the issue of the American conflict. "The supposi- 
tion of an absolute separation between Great Britain and 
her colonies," he declared, "seems to me infinitely probable, 
and the result of the conflict will be a total revolution be- 
tween Europe and America in political and commercial 
relations. There is no remedy but submission to the inev- 
itable, and obstinate resistance will involve great peril to 
the mother country." (Sch rodder. Life and Times of Wash- 
ington, Volume 1, p. 080.) 

Many other distinguished Frenchmen believed as Turgot. 
vSome of these, sympathizing enthusiastically with the colo- 
nists, and acting under the counsel of Count Yergennes, 
secretly furnished them with large amounts of arms and 
ammunition. This was done without any official sanction 
or approval of the Government, which ostensibly took the 
side of Great Britain. Tlio Spanish Court, also, through 



21 

the mercautilo house of lioderique Hostages and Co., ad- 
vanced a million livres ($185,000) and the French Court an 
equal sum, a loan to be paid in American products. In 
connection -svith these movements took place the deception 
of Arthur Lee, whicli put our government decidedly in the 
wrong and led to a controversy and litigation of fifty years. 
La Fayette himself, always foremost in ])romptness, raised 
a force of two thousand men, eipiipping and disciplining 
them and expending more than $100,000 of his own private 
fortune. 

The Treaty of Alliance, however, between the United 
States and France, was a later occurrence. Sentiment, sym- 
l)athy and policy had dictated the previous action, but 
statecraft and diplomacy required other grounds to justify 
open participation in the conflict. It must appear that the 
Americans were able to give active co-operation of a char- 
acter formidable to tlie British Government, and this was 
abundantly shown in thecaptureof Gen.Burgoyne in 1777. 

Hale, in his "Life of Washington," has indicated three 
great successes achieved by the Americans in the Revolu- 
tionary AVar: 1. The evacuation of Boston by Gen. Howe 
in 1775, when every British soldier was removed from New 
England. 2. The surrender of Burgoyne in 1777, which in- 
cluded an entire army. o. The surrender of Lord Cornwal- 
lis in 1781, which was the loss of another army. The num- 
ber of men, of course, would not bear comparison with 
those engaged in the wars of Frederic of Prussia and the 
Empress Maria Theresa. Nevertheless, the completeness 



22 

of the disaster, the critical period of its occurrence, and its 
dramatic character, greatly effected public opinion, both in 
England and all Europe. The evacuation of Boston had 
given our friends in France and elsewhere hope in the pos- 
sible success of our anus ; and the surrender at Saratoga 
confirmed this hope into conviction and removed hesitation 
on the part of the French Court. Accordingly, in the 
month of December the American Commissioners at Paris 
were secretly notified that Louis XVI was ready to ac- 
knowledge the independence of the Thirteen States and to 
make a treaty of alliance and commerce with the new 
nation. 

The history of the first French mission may deserve a 
brief mention. In November, 177G, a Frenchman appeared 
at Philadelphia and asked to be permitted to communicate 
with the Congress. He appeared totally unworthy of 
credit, but Messrs. Jefferson, Jay and Franklin had a con- 
ference with him at the Carpenters' Hall. He would not 
give his name or exhibit credentials, but assured them con- 
fidently that whatever they wanted of arms, ammunition, 
money or ships would be gladly supplied from France. 
Then making his conge, he departed and was never seen 
again. Forcibly impressed by his words the committee 
were able to induce the Congress to appoint a committee to 
correspond "with friends in Great Britain, Ireland and 
other parts of the world." A most discouraging delay 
now supervened. Summer was passed into Autumn when 
Dr. Franklin received a letter from M. Dubourg containing 
assurances of sympathy and help from France. 



On the 21st of September, Franklin, Silas Deane and 
Arthur Lee were appointed Commissioners to the French 
Court. A few weeks later took place the surrender of Bur- 
goyne. The news reached Paris on the 4th of December 
and the public cry demanded that the Covernment unite 
its fortunes with America. Negotiations were speedily 
begun, and on the sixth of February, 1778, two treaties 
were executed, one of friendship and commerce, and one of 
defensive alliance in case that Great Britain should declare 
war against France. The object being to assure commer- 
cial and political independence, it was pledged by both 
parties that no peace should be concluded till that end had 
been attained, and then only by mutual consent. In these 
treaties the King of France declared in these words, "his 
intention that the terms should l)e such as we might be 
willing to agree to just as if our State had been long es- 
tablished and in the fullness of strength ; that he would 
support our independence by every means in his power, 
and if he should get into war thereby he would expect no 
compensation from us on that a(;count ; also, tijat if he did 
engage in a war with England on our account we could 
make a separate peace for ourselves whenever good terms 
were ottered to us," the only condition being "that wc in 
no case if peace was made with l']ngland sliould give up our 
independence and return to obedience to that govern- 
ment." 

The treaties set forth further that we tshould be faithful 
allies, and that our commerce as well as our government 



24 

should be iudepeiideut. The Kiug " reuoiinced forever the 
possession of the Island of Bermuda as well as any i)art of 
the continent of Xorth America, heretofore called British 
Colonies." In the "Diary of the Revolution " the author 
says "The Treaty of Commerce is an act without parallel. 
In a word, the sentiments delivered on December 16th by 
Monsieur Gerard, by order of the King- of France are sen- 
timents rarely entertained by imnces, and which, together 
with these remarkable treaties, must rank him, not only 
among the greatest monarchs of France, but in history." 

On the loth of March the information of these treaties 
was communicated to the British Court. The English 
Ambassador was at once recalled from Paris, which was 
virtually a declaration of war. The French Treaties were 
ratified by the American Congress on the 5th of May. The 
greatest enthusiasm prevailed. The hereditary hatred 
toward France Avhich had hitherto existed in America was 
changed to respect, gratitude and aftection. In the British 
Parliament the most virulent debates now took place. The 
Opposition w^ere decided in advocacy of acknowledging the 
independence of the Colonies. A protracted war with 
France as a i)arty to it, they declared, would involve great 
loss to British commerce. The Earl of Chatham, in the 
House of Lords, was protesting eloquently against the dis- 
memberment of the British Empire, when he fell in a faint- 
ing fit. xVlmost at the same time General Burgoyne, at 
home a prisoner on parole, coolly took his seat in the House 
ol Commons and vehemently denounced the inefficient conduct 



25 

of the war. It must be ackuowledged tlitit there was a dis- 
position exhibited at the first to discredit the French alli- 
ance. The Philadelphia Ledger oi)enly favored reconcila- 
tion Avith England, and denounced the French as an 
"ambitious and treacherous power," a i)eoi>le led by the 
worst elements of the Ivomish Ohurcli. At a later period 
the failures of D'Estaing and others to accomplish what 
had been expected wxre made the subject of unfriendly 
criticism. Another sentiment ruled in thc^ counsels of 
American patriots. The despondent and half-starved army 
at Valley Forge were elated at the news that a powerful 
champion had come to their aid, and made the welkin ring 
with their glad huzzas for France and Louis XVI, On the 
5tli of May the Commander-in-Chief issued a (jeneral 
Order for the celebration of the event, beginning with 
these words : 

"It having pleased the Almighty Kuler of the L'niverse 
propitiously to defend the cause of the United American 
States and finally by raising up a powerful friend among 
the Princes of the Earth to establish our Liberty and 
Independence," etc. 

The ratification of the French treaties had rendered all 
plans for conciliation hopeless. Nevertheless commis- 
sioners were a])pointed to offer terms of com})romise to 
the insurgent (Jolonies. The French ^Ministry wtMv 
alarmed. To closer the breach between England and 
America would be fatal to her plans. Count Vergennes 
accordingly hastened to carry the treaties into effect. 



26 

Vice-Admiral Count D'Estaing- was sent to America with 
a powerful Heet openly as auxiliary to the Americans. 
The British Ministry immediately gave orders for the 
evacuation of Philadelphia, With Count D'Rstaing came 
M. Gerard de Rayneval, the French Envoy. A delegation 
from Congress, of which John Hancock was one, met the 
thig-ship at Chester, and going on board greeted M. Gerard 
in the warmest terms. The King of France was also eulo- 
gized as " the Protector of the Eights of Humanity," and 
afterward on every occasion of i)ul)lic demonstration that 
title was given him. M. Gerard proved an invaluabU* 
friend jind counsellor. 

Count D'Estaing had l)een charged with three missions 
which, as will be seen, were too onerous and difficult. He 
was instructed to blockade the British fleet in the Dela- 
ware, to promote revolt in Lower Canada, and to protect 
the French possessions in the West Indies and on the 
Continent. He had sailed directly to the Delaware in or- 
der to execute the tirst of these instructions, and M'as 
unsuccessful. The British Army acting under orders from 
home had (evacuated Philadel])hia and returned to Ncm" 
York, whither the fleet had already gone. On their way 
thither they were overtaken at JMoiimouth and defeated by 
those very men from Valley Forge whom they had befoie 
affected to despise. At this battle the young Marquis de 
La Fayette flattered himself, from his advanced position 
under General Lee, that he would win the flrst laurels of 
the day. Imagine his chagrin and mortification when that 



27 

officer commanded a retreat. Ever since his release from 
Britisli captivity, General Lee exhibited cokluess and more 
disaftection toward the American canse, if we refrain fi-om 
a more just bnt harsher term. To the earnest appeal of 
Gen. La Fayette he coldly replied: "You do not know 
British soldiers, we cannot stand against them." " British 
soldiers have been beaten and may be again," said the 
intrepid La Fayette, " at any rate I am disposeil to mala> 
the trial." Observing that Lee's actions were suspicious 
he promptly gave notice to the Commander-in Chief that 
his presence on that part of the tield was of the greatest 
importance. Lee's misconduct prevented the total rout of 
the British Army, but Washington rcaclKul the phi<'<> in 
time to save the fortunes of the day. 

I may mention just here that in the campaign of 1778 
and 1779 in the Jerseys, La Fayette had with him in the 
service that distinguished Frenchman Armand Charles 
Tutin, Marquis de la Eourie, who fought at Ked Bank, 
Camden and Yorktown, and like the trusted Duportail was 
often with Washington at the headquarters in ^Morristown. 
Also another brave French otUcer, Count Duplessis, who 
fought nobly at Fort IMercer and Bed Bank, and of Avhom 
Washington says in a letter to Congress, " he possesses a 
degree of modesty not always found in men who ]>crlorm 
brilliant actions." 

After the battle of iNlonnumth a plan was agreed upon 
by Washington and D'Estaing for driving the British from 
Khode Island. Gen. Sullivan was placed in command to 



28 

co-operate with the Freuch forces. The camjiaigu opened 
finspiciously, but was destined to ch)se with bitter disap- 
pointment. 

Upon the arrival of the French iieet, July 29tli, the Brit- 
isli hastened to destroy ten of their vessels, lest they 
shonld become prizes to the victors, and two commanders 
next agreed to attack the enemy in his intrench- 
meuts, bnt on that \'ery day a British fleet of 
thirty-six vessels appeared and D'Estaing pnt 
fortli to meet them. A terrible storm arose, which 
discomhtcd Gen. Sullivan on shore and compelled the 
Admiral to desist from an engagement which he had 
begun with great enthusiasm and every hope of success. 
He sailed for Boston to repair, and at the very time when 
victory seemed in reach of the American forces, and the 
British army at Newport likely to meet the fate of Bur- 
goyne, he sailed for the West Indies to tight the enemy 
there. Necessary as this movement might have been to 
French interests, it was most unfortunate for the Ameri- 
cans. A victory in Rhode Island in 1770 would [)robably 
have terminated the war. Gen. Sullivan i)rotested in severe 
terms. At this the Admiral remonstrated, but was soothed 
by an explanation which may remind us of some of the oc- 
currences of our late Civil War. D'Estaing was a soldier, 
and his chief ofhcers on the French fleet resented the 
placing of a military oflicer in a naval connnand over them. 
They did not scruple to embarrass his movements in vari- 
ous ways and to prevent their success. They stand justly 



29 

chargeable, therefore, with the great faihire. " The Count 
himself wished to remain with us," Gen. Sullivan wrote to 
Washington, "hut was overruled in council by his captains." 
To have deviated from the advice of his council would have 
been attended with ill consequences to him in case of mis- 
fortune. 

Having captured St. Vincent and Granada, D'Estaing lost 
no time in returning to our shores. He co-operated with 
Gen. Lincoln in unsuccessful attack ui)on Savannah, and 
after the tinal repulse sailed again for the West Indies and 
returned at once to France. He had failed in all he had 
undertaken, yet his ser\'ices both to America and his own 
Government were of great imi)ortance. He captured a 
number of armed and transport shii)s, oi)ened the southern 
ports to trading vessels, and destroyed the prestige of the 
British navy on the sea. He was energetic, adventurous and 
indefatigable, and as ardent and enthusiastic as a youth. 1 1 
must injustice be added that he made the ]5ritish project to 
detach Georgia and the Carolinas from the American Confed- 
eration imi)racticable. Sir Henry Clinton pronounced his 
operations highly disastrous to British interests, yet, even 
though tlu^ military and naval co-operation of the French 
did not realize that which had been hoped and expected, tlie 
other advantages from the alliance were most important. The 
influence upon the i)olitics and action of other Enropenn 
States was invaluable. Enssia never hesitated to express 
sympathy with the new nation. Spain adhered to the Eoyal 
Family Alliance, an<l joined France in active military opera- 



30 

tions. The opposition in England was encouraged to demand 
the suspension of hostilities. Lord North himself desired 
peace on honorable terms; indeed, it would have been con- 
ceded at this very time, but for the excessive and unreason- 
able pride and obstinacy of the British King. 

France was as liberal with her money as with her military 
forces. Between the years 1778 and 1783 she lent this country 
nearly $3,500,009, besides guaranteeing a loan of $1,750,000, 
from Holland and paying the interest. In addition to these 
sums the King, Louis XVI, in 1783 made us a present of a 
million of dollars outright. The French xVmbassador actu- 
ally supported several members of Congress who were not 
able under the impoverished state of their private fortunes 
to remain at Philadelphia. Large sums also were contrib- 
uted by individuals — grand men like Beaumarchais, who 
was but partly repaid for his advances, and then reluctantly, 
after half a century had elapsed. 

The next scene in the drama exhibits our constant friend 
and ally, Gen. La Fayette, in another and still more illus- 
trious light. The course of his distinguished countryman 
and relative, Count D' Estaing, had been to him a most 
bitter disappointment. He now resolved to go back to 
France himself and try his own efforts. The romantic story, 
the heroism and achievements of this'youth of 22, had made 
him the idol of the French nation. He was also a favorite 
of the young King. He procured an agreement from Louis 
XVI to send to this country six vessels of the line and 6,000 
troops afterward increased to 12,000, to serve under the 



31 

direction and orders of Geii. Washington. He also pur- 
chased a kirge outfit of arms and clothing, which he after- 
wards distributed gratuitously to the men under his com- 
mand. 

The arrival of Count d(5 lloclianibeau at Newport, 
July 10, 1780, showed that France was now determined to 
support America with her entire ])ower. The most illus- 
trious of the French nobility came with the army. It was 
a galaxy of noble names. There was the Baron and Count 
de VionuM.il, the brave Counts AVilliam and Christian de 
Deux Pouts, the no less c<nu'ageous Vis count de Eocljam- 
beau, the handsonu' Count de Fersen, the fascinating Duke 
de Lauzun, tlu^ lively and iuipressionable M. De Tilly, the 
gallant and gifted Viscount de Noailles ; also Counts 
de Danuis and de Segur, the witty M. Blanchard, Cheva- 
lier de Chastellux, the clever historian; t\w accomplishe<l 
Chevalier de Lameth and the unfortunate Count de Cus- 
tine ; also the accomplished soldier Duportail, so constantly 
with Washington at IMorristowu and Yorktown ; the warm 
hearted and volatile Fleury and Count Duplessis, as mod- 
est as he was gallant, and others equally celebrated and 
illustrious followed the troops. Delay, however, rendered 
it impossible to realize the expected achievements of 1780. 
A British fleet long blockaded the French squadron at 
Brest, and Washington felt keenly the failure of the latter 
to arrive. He writes respecting it : " Disappointed of 
the second division of French troops, but more especially 
in the expected naval superiority, which was the pivot 



32 

upon which everything turned, we have been compelled 
to spend an inactive campaign, after a flattering prospect 
at the opening of it, and vigorous struggles to make it a 
decisive one on our part." ""' 

Money and a naval force were the two i)ressing wants 
oftlie hour. Tliere had been more reasons than this for 
discouragement. A cabal in Congress had been eager to 
remove him from command, and had so far carried out 
their purpose as to made subordinate officers almost inde- 
})endent of his authority. xVt the same time, as at Saratoga, 
the most efficient of liis troops were detached and placed un- 
der these officers, while he was regarded as accountable foi' 
not accomplishing more satisfactory results. In conform- 
ity to this policy. Gen. Gates had been placed in command, 
first in New York, then in New England and finally at the 
South. The defeat at Camden, threatening as it was to 
the stability of the American Confederation, served the 
I)urpose to put an end to tlie intrigues in Congress. The 
treason of Gen, Arnold, however, was even more disheart- 
ening. " Whom can we trust ?" was the cry that this intelli- 
gence elicited from the Commander-in-Chief. His prompt 
measures, however, i)revented the treason from going fur- 
ther or working any Jidvantage to the British cause. The 
sad experiences of 1780 were, indeed, salutary. They had 
cleared the political atmos])here and made it easier to or- 
ganize victory. 

Lord Cornwallis had regarded Georgia and the Carolinas 
as permanently subjected. The operations of Generals 

* Sparks'a AVritiiigs of Washingtou, VII., 837. 



33 

Greene and Morgan disabused liiin somewhat of that illu- 
sion. He perceived that Virginia must probably be his de- 
cisive battle ground. General Washington accordingly 
sent General La Fayette thither with 1,200 men to act in 
conjunction with the local militia and a naval force de- 
tached from the French squadron under M. de Tilly. The 
little fleet was soon successful in capturing prizes, on one 
of which, the Eomulus, they found jC10,000 and clothing, 
destined for General Arnold's troops. A second expedition 
under M. Destanches, with Baron Viomenil and a land 
force, proved less successful and returned to l*Tew York 
shortly after. 

Colonel Eochambeau, who had been sent to France, ar- 
rived on the 6th of May at Boston, accompanied by M. de 
Barras, the new commander of the French squadron at 
Newport, bringing the intelligence that Count de Grasse 
had sailed from Brest with a powerful fleet which should 
defend the French possessions. Only 500 troops could be 
spared for the American service, but the King had as an 
equivalent sent six millions in money, so greatly needed. 
M. de Barras lost no time in reporting to the American com- 
mander. A conference was held at Weathersfield, which he 
did not attend. Washington was attended by Generals 
Knox and Duportail; Eochambeau, by the Chevalier de 
Chastelleux. The policy was now agreed upon, to leave 
Count|de Barras at Newport, for its defense, and to operate 
directly ^against New York, sending no more troops south- 
ward. 

s 



A word here may give iis a better view of the discretion 
and ability of the French General. Upon his arrival at 
Newport in July, 1780, he was eagerly importuned by the 
young Marquis do La Fayette to begin offensive opera- 
tions against the British forces. Eochambeau replied, 
calling attention to the superior numbers of the enemy and 
their support by an imposing navy : 

" It is always well, my dear Marquis," he wrote, " to be- 
lieve that the French are invincible, but I will confide to 
you a great secret ; after an experience of forty years I must 
tell you that there are none more easily beaten when they 
have lost confidence in their leader ; and they lose it im- 
mediately -when they suspect that they have been compro- 
mised by a i)rivate and personal ambition. If I have been 
happy enough to keep till the present time the confidence 
of those who follow me, it is because that after the most 
scrupulous examination of my conscience I can safely as- 
sert, that of about 15,000 men who have been killed under 
my orders, I cannot rcproach'myself with the death of one." 

On the 11th of June, 1781, the camp of eleven months at 
Newport was broken up and the troops set out for their 
new point of destination. They had made themselves pop- 
ular, and their march was greeted as a military triumph. 
Perhaps the old jest was as true then as afterward, "Our 
people love to celebrate victories before the battle is 
fought." The troops were entertained all the way by the 
people and everywhere hailed as the deliverers of America. 
Exact discipline and freedom from trespass upon private 



35 

property characterized their entire march. Du Ponceau, 
who assisted Baron Steuben in preparing his "Army Dis- 
cipline," writes that "the army of Eochambeau at this date 
was so thoroughly well conducted that not a soldier took 
even an apple or a peach from an orchard without leave 
having been previously obtained, and it was given out in 
General Orders that in case of any dispute between a 
Frenchman and an American the former should be pun- 
ished whether he was in the right or wrong, and this rule 
was strictly adhered to. 1 believe there is no example of 
anything similar in history." (See Penn., Mag. of Hist, 
and Biog., II, 24.) 

Arriving at the Hudson the united forces lay encamped 
«ix weeks. It soon became apparent that it would be im- 
practicable to make a general attack upon I^ew York 
without a superior naval force. A correspondence between 
General Eochambeau and Count de Grasse had Impressed 
the latter with the distresses of the Southern States, and 
above all of Virginia, which had nothing to oppose the in- 
roads of Cornwallis except the small body of troops under 
La Fayette. As the proposed attack upon New York was 
under contemplation, a letter came to Newport from the 
Count stating that he would sail from San Domingo with 
his entire fleet and 3,200 land troops, for the Chesapeake 
Bay. At once the two Generals resolved to abandon the 
attempt upon New York and to enter upon a campaign 
against Cornwallis. 
On the 21st of July the American Armv crossed the 



3() 

Hudson at Stony Point, and the French two days later. 
The two armies took different routes and the appearance of 
threatening- New York was sedulously kept up. The 
French jjassed through Chatham, Whippany, Springfield 
and New Brunswick, as if to menace Staten Island or occu- 
py Sandy Hook with a view to facilitate the entrance o 
the French fleet into New York harbor. The march was 
meanwhile continued to Trenton and thence to Philadel- 
phia, where the army arrived September 4th. Their recep- 
tion there was a grand ovation. They marched through 
the town with music, the streets were crowded, and ladies 
splendidly attired thronged the windows. They next 
marched in single tile before the Congress and the Cheva- 
lier de la Luzerne, the French Ambassador, and the next 
day went through the exercise of fire-arras. The spectators, 
twenty thousand in iuun})er, were surprised and eurai)- 
tured at the perfection of their evolutions. 

" This day was destined for favorable omens," wrote de 
Chastellux. The French Embassador had invited all the 
officers to dine with him. As they were seated at the table 
an express was received. The host hurried to relieve the 
general anxiety. " Thirty-six shijis of the line, commanded 
by M. le Comte de Grasse, have arrived in Chesapeake Bay," 
he said, " and 3,600 men have landed and opened commu- 
nications with the Marquis de La Fayette." Joy and ex- 
ultation beamed on every countenance and everyone 
predicted a speedy conclusion of the struggle. The news 
spread all over Philadelphia ; the residence of the French 



37 

miuister Avas througed by crowds, iiud the air rang ^?ith 
the cry of " Long' live Louis XVI." It was this same 
Philip Louis Maniuis de Ohastellux to whom, upon his 
marriage in 1787, Washington wrote the following most 
witty letter : " I saw by the eulogium you often made 
on the happiness of domestic life in America that 
you had swallowed the bait and that you would as surely be 
taken one day or another as that you were a i)hilosoi)her 
and a soldier. So your day has at length come. I am glad 
of it, with all my heart and soul. It is quite good enough 
for you. Now you are well served for coming to fight 
iu favor of the American rebels all the way across the At- 
lantic ocean, by catching that terrible contagion, domestic 
feUcUy, which, like the small-pox or the phigue, a man can 
have only once in his life." 

On the fifth of September Admiral Graves apjjeared oft* 
Chesapeake Bay and Avas promptly encountered by the 
Count de Grasse, losing two frigates in the contest. It had 
not been the purpose of the Count at first to operate in the 
Chesapeake, but to proceed to New Foundhmd with a view 
to the recovery of Canada. At the entreaty of both Generals 
Washington and llochambeau, he changed his purpose 
and arrived at the Oheaspeake at the moment most for- 
tunate as AveU as ])r()pitions for the American cause. 

The several conuiianders reached Williamsburgh Sep- 
tember 14tli. This was the Capital of Virginia, and here 
were the headcpiarters of the Marquis de La Fayette. The 
ardent young Frenchman Avaseverjoj^ed to greet the Com- 



38 

mander-in-Ohief. For monthSj with a small force, he had 
been employed in protecting Virginia from the troops of 
Lord Cornwallis, often barely escaping capture. When 
the latter finally took possession of Yorktown, he had not 
a doubt that he would soon complete his operations by 
this achievement. "The boy cannot escape me," was his 
boast to Sir Henry Clinton. But La Fayette was not so 
easy to find. He would dart forward as if to engage in 
General battle, and as suddenly retire. He had the knowl- 
edge of Cornwallis' movements and intentions, and was 
able to deceive him in regard to his own. The arrival of 
the investing armies from the North put an end to his 
danger and anxiety. Word was given to Count de Grasse 
and a conference was held on board his flag-ship. The 
Admiral desired to leave a small force to hold the Bay and 
employ the rest in active operations outside. The best 
strategists of the army were aware that Cornwallis could 
not sustain himself. But Generals Washington and Ro- 
chambeau desired to make sure without risking too much. 
At their entreaty he consented to remain and blockade 
the Bay, while the armies should operate directly upon 
Yorktown. 

An amusing story is related of this interview. (Curtis' 
Eecollections.) As General Washington reached the 
quarterdeck of the " Ville de Paris," the flag-ship, Admiral 
de Grasse embraced him, kissing him on each cheek. Ah 
he hugged him, he uttered the French phrase of endear- 
ment : " MoncJier petit GgugyhI (my dear little General.)" 



39 

The Count was tali, but so, too was WasbingtoD. The 
term petit, or little, applied to his largo and conimandiug 
person was too much for his companions. The French, 
true to the aucleut, rigid etiquette, preserved gravity as 
best they could, but General Knox, " regardless of all rules 
laughed, and that aloud, till his fat sides shook again." 

On the 27th of September, General Washington issued 
an order of battle, and on the 28tii the entire combined 
army was put in motion ; on the 30th Yorktown was com- 
pletely invested. On the left were the Trench, on the right 
the Americans. The former were commanded by the Vis- 
count and Baron Viomenil and the Marquis De St. Simon ; 
the latter by Baron Steuben, Generals Wayne, 1^1 Fayette 
and Lincoln. The siege was conducted with great vigor 
and precision. General Washington spent the first night 
before Yorktown under a mulberry tree. His anxiety 
must have been intense. The army before him was com- 
posed of veteran troops, commanded by one of the ablest 
British Generals, well supplied and confident. He had 
but one officer competent to direct ;i siege, to oppose to 
men adepts in the art and science of military defense. It 
is due to the troops to say that the orders of Baron Steu- 
ben were promptly obeyed, and that the French forces 
were equally energetic. On the 0th of October the first 
parallel was established within six hundred yards of the 
British works, and on the 11th the second was opened three 
hundred yards nearer. The French in this siege were 
rivals to each other ; each oflicer was envious of ever}' one 



40 

seut ou ii dangerouy attempt. They exposed themselves 
needlessly to examine the works of the enemy and ad^ 
vanced outposts. Common soldiers rivaled the officers 
in daring' enterprises. General Eochambeau himself, to 
settle a question, left the trenches, descended into the 
ravine, ascended the opposite escarpment and approached 
the enemy's redoubt, up to the abattis surrounding it. 

General La Fayette and Baron Viomenil were appointed 
to capture the two redoubts which embarassed our opera- 
tions. A friendly rivalry existed between these two offi- 
cers. Colonel Alexander Hamilton led the American 
storming party, and Count William Deux Fonts the 
French. La Fayette carried his redoubt live minutes the 
sooner, OAving to not waiting to remove the abattis. The 
British soldiers were generally half drunk when lighting, 
and such was the case at this time. The bombardment 
was now kept up without cessation for live days. The 
earthworks afforded but inadequate defense. An attempt 
at sortie was repulsed, then escape was attempted, and 
finally, on the 17th of October, Lord Cornwallis offered 
to surrender. The mistake of D'Estaing at Savanna in 
giving twenty-four hours was not repeated, and in two 
hours Cornwallis had acceded to the terms of capitulation, 
with " the same honors as were granted to the x\merican 
garrison at Charleston." The Commissioners negotiating 
the treaty of capitulation were Lieutenant-Colonel Dun- 
das and Major Eoss on the part of the British ; Viscount 
de Noailles and Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens on the part 
of the Americans. 



41 

Mr. G. W. Parke OiiXtis remarks : " Here, as at Stouy 
Point, DotwitbstandiDg the provocation to retaliate, which 
was justified by the inhuman massacres of Paoli and Fort 
Griswold, mercy, divine mercy, perched triumphant on 
our country's colors. 

Imagine the emotions of the Commander-in-Chief as he 
signed the compact of capitulation that memorable 10th 
of October. "A glorious moment for America," wrote 
General Knox to his wife. " The play is over and the 
fifth act has closed," said La Fayette. It was a proud day 
for him ; he had coped with Cornwallis and mastered him 
in tactics ; he had received the highest honor, command- 
ing alternately three Field Marshals of France and the 
troops under them. " The General congratulates the 
army upon the glorious (ivent of yesterday," was the open- 
ing sentence of an order by the Commander-in-Chief. 
Then he praised the King of France, Admiral de Grasse, 
General Kochambeau, Baron de Viomenil ; his own Gen- 
erals, Lincoln, La Fayette and Steuben, to whom he was 
personally attached ; naming others till his paper ^Aould 
hardly hold out ; and linally adding that his thanks if 
given to each individual of merit in the army would com- 
prehend them all. 

It was the wish of General Washington to follow up 
this victory by the long-deferred attack upon New York. 
He believed it was easy nov/ to drive the enemy from our 
soil. Perhaps he was right. With him, years of disaster 
were insufficient to obliterate hope of final success, and 



42 

he hardly permitted the ardor of victory to overcome his 
judgment. If his purpose had been carried into effect 
the first years of the new nation would not have been 
clouded by British arrogance and pusillanimity. 

Both de Grasse and Eochambcau opposed this proposi- 
tion. The Admiral had been commanded to go to the aid 
of the Spanish allies in the West Indies and would do no 
more ; General Eochambeau was not willing to engage in 
another campaign that same year. It is not necessary to 
recupitulate the history of the ensuing year. The French 
army remained in Virginia till the next season, and then 
returned to the North, receiving the most cordial and flat- 
tering attentions along their route. It having finally been 
decided that there would be no more further service re- 
quired of them in Atnerica they proceeded to Boston to 
embark for the West Indies. They had already imbibed 
the American sentiment of liberty. " I was obliged," says 
Count Segur, " to keep, night and day, a strict watch. The 
prospect of happiness which liberty presented to the sol- 
diers in this country, had created in them a desire to quit 
their colors and remain in America." 

While at Boston the French officers were treated with 
marked distinction. The Legislature paid a congratulatory 
visit to the Baron de Viomenil, and Samuel Adams address- 
ed him in their behalf. A dinner was given to the French 
oflicers, at which General Hancock presided One day the 
Eev. Dr. Cooper addressed them in these prophetic words': 

"Take care," said he, "take care, young men, lest the 



43 

triumph of the cause on this virgin soil should too much in- 
fluence your hopes. You will carry away with you the 
germs of these generous sentiments; but if you ever attempt 
to propagate them on your native soil, after so many ages 
of corruption, you will have to surmount far dillerent ob- 
stacles. It has cost us much blood to conquer liberty, but 
you will have to shed it in torrents before you can estab^ 
lish it in Europe." 

"How many times," says Count Uamas, "during our 
political storm, during our fatal days, have 1 called to mind 
those prophetic warnings ; but the inestimable prize which 
the Americans obtained by their sacrifice was always 
present to my mind." 

Many did make America their future home, and others 
who returned to France were eager to go once more to the 
United States. The enthusiasm of liberty enkindled ther-y 
continued its impulse till not only revolution but a nev.- 
book of history was begun in Europe. 

There is, however, much that is painful in the retrospect. 
Count de Grasse, to whom we owed so much in the last 
scenes of our drama, went hence only to encounter melon- 
choly reverses of fortune. He engaged in several naval 
conflicts, iinally sulfering capture by Admiral Kodney, 
April 12, 17S2. Jt was one of the revenges of history thai 
on that occasion his flag-ship, the Ville de Paris, Mas en- 
countered by the Canada, commanded by Captain Cornwal- 
lis, and after a fierce struggle, in which but three men were 
left alive on his vessel, was forced to strike her colors. 



44 

Thus the English officer avenged the fate of his more cele- 
brated brother at Yorktown. Losing the favor of his King 
for that misfortune, de Grasse never returned to active 
service. "Brave and good as the Captain of a ship," says 
Guerin, "the Count de Grasse was an embarrassing com- 
mander and a still more ill-starred Admiral." His last 
years were unhappy, and he finally died in January, 1788. 
Washington learning of this, wrote to Rochambeau : "His 
frailties should be buried with him in the grave, w^hile his 
name will be long deservedly dear to this Country." His six 
daughters came to this country as exiles during the French 
Revolution, and a pension of $10,000 a year was settled on 
them, while his son, the Count de Tilly, Avas employed as 
an engineer. 

Count D'Estaing, when he returned home, was received 
by the King with flattering distinction. In 1783 he com- 
manded the cond)ined fleets of France and Spain, and in 
1787 became Commandant of the National Guards. He was 
Anally arrested as a suspect, and having given testimony 
in favor of the Queen at her trial, he was himself tried in 
1794 and beheaded. 

General Eochandjeau, after his return from America, re- 
ceived the merited office of Marshal of France. He after- 
ward fell undei' the displeasure of the Eevolutionary 
Tribunal and was condemned to death. The death of 
Robespierre, liowever, saved him from execution, and he 
lived to hold honorable place under the Empire. He was 
waiting at the hospital, he says, where thirteen persons 



45 

were inmates, when tlie officer came in and brouglit twelve 
"acts of accusation," to accompany the Princess Elizabeth. 
Eochambeau was listening for his own name, when the lirst 
officer cried out: "Didst thou not hear, Marshal, that 1 
said on entering, there is nothing for theef ' "I am deaf," 
replied Rochambeau, "thou canst surely repeat it to me." 

The Duke de Lauzun after his return to France was 
elected to the States General. He also served in the army 
of the Republic in Corsica, Savoy and La Vendee ; but his 
lenity lost him favor, and lie was condemned and beheade<l 
the last day of the year 1793. Many anecdotes are related 
concerning him. One day a countryman in Connecticut 
asked him what trade his father followed. Greatly amused 
he replied: "My father does nothiug, but I have an uncle 
who is a blacksmith," (a marcchal, alluding to Marshal de 
Biron). "Good, good," cried the man, shaking his Iinnd 
warmly, "it is a capital trade." 

Perhaps, however, no man has been more diversely or so 
inconclusively judged as the INIarquis de La Fayette. On 
the one hand he has been praised as equal almost to Wash- 
ington himself. Yet the lirst Napoleon describes him as 
"only a ninny, without civil or military talent, narrow- 
minded and dissimulating, a sort of monomaniac, with 
whom blindness took the place of reason." The dominant 
weakness, however, appears to have been an excessive love 
of poinilarity, the only human recompense which he seems 
to have contemplated as the reward of all his efforts, and 
the immoderate pursuit of which appears to have resulted 



46 

in the most fatal errors of his life. But it seems hardly 
grateful to criticise him. In our cause he enlisted with an 
ardent, youthful enthusiasm ; he contributed freely of his 
private fortune ; he gave his best energies. If we name his 
love of popularity the " passion for glory," it seems hardly 
a weakness, but a characteristic honorable to its possessor. 

It has been contemplated to place on the proposed mon- 
ument to La Fayette in the city of Washington the four 
subordinate Dgures of Eochambeau, the Chevalier Dupor- 
tail Count de Grasse, and Count D'Estaing. In this 
selection the Washington Association of New Jersey, the 
Society of the Sons of the Revolution, the South Carolina 
Society of Cincinnati, the New York as well as the New 
Jersey Historical Society concur. The Massachusetts His- 
torical Society, however, dissents and recommends instead 
of the Count D'Estaing and Chevalier Duportail, the Baron 
de Viomenil and the Marquis dc St. Simon. 

It is no pleasing task to depreciate the services of any of 
our French allies at the time that " tried men's souls." 
Justice, however, demands at our hands to uphold the 
higher claim of the Chevalier Duportail. He was one of 
the first who came hither to help our cause. As early as 
February, 1777, he had^committcd his fortunes to the event 
and was placed on the staff" of Gen. Washington. He served 
in America more than six years, enduring the same hard- 
ships and vicissitudes as our soldiers. He was admired 
and praised in both the allied armies and by their Com- 
manders. At Yorktown he received the special acknowl- 



47 

edgement of Gen. Washington for his eflQciency. Returning 
to France he received the dignity of Marechal de Champs 
and Minister of War. Resembling La Fayette in many re- 
spects, his history was very similar. Finally, having been 
accused in the time of the Revolution, he came to this coun- 
try, where he remained ten years. While his services ex- 
ceed six years, those of the Baron de Viomenil were but 
two years and nine months, little more than one-third as 
long. We do not care to depreciate the qualities of M. de 
Viomenil; he was a noble soldier and deserving the high 
esteem in which he was held by Count de Rochambean, as 
Duportail was of the higher regard bestowed on him by 
Washington. 

Why St. Simon should be proposed at all is beyond em- 
power to surmise. lie was simply a Spaniard, who fought 
as such, with no sympathy for the people or institutions 
of this country. He was a military man by profession, and 
went, in fact, whither he was ordered. 

The Count D'Estaing was from the first a warm and 
earnest friend of America. Before he sailed for this coun- 
try he had used all his powers and influence in our behalf 
He was sincere and devoted. Upon his return to France 
he pleaded incessantly with tiio French Ministry to des- 
patch a large force to our aid. Even though victory had 
been snatched from his reach by the inclement storm, he 
was none the less ready to engage in conflict. He never 
relaxed in his devotion to American interests. 

We plead therefore that the honor which is contemplated 



48 

for our earliest and most constant friends, our French 
Allies, be extended to the men with whom LaFayette was 
most in sympathy. They amply proved their deserving, 
and what they accomplished was in a remarkable degree 
simply the extending and completing of what he himself 
had initiated. Duportail's acts were like his brave leader's, 
and won for the performer a rare degree of Washington, s 
favor. D'Estaing was next in the place of honor, and his 
very presence here inspired a degree of hope and courage 
in our leaders and supporters which can not well be over- 
estimated. He made future success more easy ; and though 
he made no such signal achievement as Kochambeau or De 
Grasse, he yet was as noble and worthy as they. 

The monument which is contemplated will be an endur- 
ing testimonial of the Nation's gratitude, and it will be 
nuich more befitting if the statues of D'Estaing and the 
heroic Duportail with those of De Grasse and Eochambeau 
are placed there beside our most noble benefactor. 

Do not these names, my friends, stand out in history as 
patriot heroes even more disinterested than our own Eevo- 
lutionary or Pilgrim sires? For while it was for a Leoni- 
das, a Tell, and an Alfred to dare and suffer long for their 
native land, these heroic spirits went forth from their 
homes to combat on a far distant shore for the national 
life of an almost unknown people. While it was Luther 
and the Reformation which laid the foundation of the rights 
of man in society, so it was our American Eevolution which 
established his political and civil freedom; and to our sue- 



49 

cess in this great struggle, France geuerously coutrilmted 
her millions and sacrificed the lives of many of her bravest 
sons. Therefore we cannot cease to remember lier with 
gratitude, and esi)ecially at this time, so near to theCeuten- 
nial of the Inauguration of the lirst President of this now^ 
great, glorious and successful Eepublic. 



Fort Stanwix and Battle of Oriskany. 



J. C. PUMPELLY. 



An address delivered before tlie Society of the tSous of the 
Revolution, in New York City, Dec. 3, 1888. 



Mr. President andMemhers of the Society of the Sons of the 
Revolution: — Just so surely as there is ji power in this Avorkl 
that makes towards righteousness, so there is a power 
that makes towards patriotism, and we lind in this Society, 
young as it is, such an iufluence going" out among our peo- 
ple — a historical spirit whose inspiration is fed by such 
events as we commemorate to-night, and whose impulses 
are Avise, conservative, and uplifting. 

There have always been districts of the earth where na- 
tions and armies have had their decisive battles. Belgium, 
from Julius Ofesar until now, has been the battlefield of 
Europe. There in 1815 the fate of that country was de- 
termined — whether it was to be French or National. So 
we may say that the State of New York, the valleys of the 
Mohawk and the Hudson, constituted the tighting ground 

50 



51 

of the American Eevolution. lu Colonial days Charles II. 
was assured of no foothold on this continent until he had 
become master of that region ; and when we recall that 
the ancestors of those who fought at Oriskauy passed in 
1G83 the " Charter of Liberties," we know of what heroic 
stuff his colonists were made, and how fearlessly they de- 
fended their rights. 

English statesmen saw also that more than all the South, 
Philadelphia, and the Island of New York, that this region 
was the very eye of the campaign of 1777. So it came 
about that a well-devised plan was formed in England for 
the grasping of this key to the continent. 

Clinton, the Commander-in-Chief, was to start from New 
York and follow up tlie Hudson ; General Burgoyne with 
his 7,000 men was to approach from the north by the way 
of Lake Champlaiu ; while Col. Barry St. Leger with his 
1,700 Tories and Indians was to come from Oswego on 
down the Mohawk Valley, joining the leaders of the other 
two expeditions at Albany when their work was completed. 
All these expeditions were well appointed, the ofii- 
cers able, and the armies thoroughly equipped. Sir Wil- 
liam Johnson had sagaciously provided for the sustaining 
of the British power in the Mohawk country, and his man- 
tle had fallen upon his equally able but more unscrupu- 
lous son. 

By these men, aided by Brant, the famous chief, the 
whole Indian Confederacy, except the Oneidas, had been 
allied to the British cause, and this alone was a serious 



52 

menace to the patriot cause. Yet, in the Providence of 
God, who is not necessarily on the side of the heaviest 
battalions, none of these expeditions, as history tells us, 
ever reached their destination. 

In this year of 1777, so full of gloom for our cause, if 
Burgoyne was successful Xew England was in danger of 
being cut off from all communication with the other colo- 
nies ; and as in that day when Lexington lired the " gun 
that was heard round the world," every county was awake 
to the importance of a most vigorous resistance. 

Fortunately there was no division in the East, and the 
army of General Schuyler was promptly recruited from 
Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

It was this able commander who "made the lock and 
fitted the key " which the self-lauded Gates had but to 
turn and the defeat of Cornwallis was assured. It was 
Schuyler also whose characteristic forethought secured im- 
portant defenses in the Mohawk Valley — one of which was 
located at a point between Wood Creek and the Mohawk, 
and was named Fort Stanwix. Eight in the pathway of 
St. Leger was this fort, and he must perforce take it or fail 
in his expedition. 

That he did so fail, with all the advantages he possessed, 
is to me another striking proof that the cause of the col- 
onists was under the i)rotection of that all-wise Euler 
whose arm is ever bared for the defense of His people. 

St. Leger had a force of 1,700 troops, — the flower of Bur- 
goyne's army. Tryon County was full of Tories, every 



63 

family almost haviug in it the partisans of the kiug • and 
Sir John Johnson and the murderous thug-, Zebulon Butler, 
had formed them into military organizations. The Mo- 
hawk Indians, the most sanguinary of all the Iroquois, led 
by Brant, cooperated with the Britisli. As if to abet Eng- 
lish cruelty by the incentive of cupidity, St. Leger offered 
X20 (English pounds) for every American scalp. Not only 
soldiers were mutilated, but young boys and girls were 
waylaid and murdered in order to receive this infamous 
guerdon. 

The Oneidas were faithful to the American cause. They 
even offered to break the ancient league and add their 
forces to those of the colonists ; but considerations of pol- 
icy led to a waiving of this proi)osition, which, if accepted, 
would have prevented St. Leger from reaching Fort Stan- 
wix prior to the capture of Burgoyne. As it was, the Onei- 
das kept the garrison at Fort Stanwix and the Committee 
of Safety at German Flats carefully informed of the coun- 
sels of the Six Nations and the movements of the British 
troops. 

Now, at this date, August, 1777, Colonel Peter Ganse- 
voort, a brave officer twenty-eight years of age, was in 
command at Fort Stanwix, and was soon after joined by 
Lieutenant-Colonel Marinus Willett, an experienced sol- 
dier, thoroughly versed in border warfare ; with his regi- 
ment the garrison now amounted to 550 men. 

The emergency required all the skill, energy, and cour- 
age of both ofiQcers. In a letter to General Schuyler, 



54 

dated July 4tb, Colonel Gansevoort writes : *' Owing to the 
increasing number of hostile Indians, 150 men would be 
needed to obstruct Wood Creek, an equal number to guard 
the men at work felling and hauling timber. Beef is 
spoiled, bullets do not suit the firelocks, a ton of powder 
is needed. We will, notwithstanding every difficulty, exert 
ourselves to the utmost of our power, and if your Excel- 
lency will order a speedy re-enforcement and needed sup- 
])lies to enable us to hold out a ^iege,wewiU be able to give 
a good account of any force that will probably come 
against us." 

On the 2d of August, the day of the investment of the 
fort by St. Leger's forces, Lieutenant-Colonel Mellon, of 
Colonel Weston's regiment, arrived with 200 men and two 
bateaux of i)rovisions and military stores. They reached 
the fort just as the enemy appeared on the skirts of the 
forest ; so near were they that the captain who commanded 
the boats was made prisoner. The command now con- 
sisted of 750 men all told; six weeks' provisions, and a fair 
supply of ammunition ; but the garrison was without a 
flag. 'Twas then and there, by these unskillful but heroic 
hands, that the standard which was to be the first to be 
lifted unfurling the Stars and Stripes in victorious battle 
was made in the garrison out of odds and ends of cloth- 
ing. Pieces of white were taken from shirts, the blue was 
from a camlet cloak of Captain Swartout's, and the stripes 
from a woman's scarlet mantle. 

On the 3d of August a flag was sent into the fort from 



55 

the euemy with messages full of vaunting threats aud lav- 
ish promises, all of which produced no effect upon the 
brave and intrepid commander. Hostilities commenced 
on August 4th, the Indians concealing themselves behind 
trees and by their fire greatly annoying the men employed 
upon the ijarapets. 

It was at this time St. Leger in vain over-confidence sent 
his message to Burgoyue that the fort would be his di- 
rectly, and that they would speedily meet as victors in Al- 
bany. 

St. Leger's appearance in the valley had roused the yeo- 
manry to a sudden and full comprehension of the peril of 
their situation, and they forthwith gave the command of 
the militia to Nicholas Herkimer, who had served in the 
French war and been made a brigadier-genei-al the year 
before. He w\as a brave soldier and a Christian man, who 
had used his best efibrts to dissuade the Indians from tak- 
ing i3art in the conflict and had sent to Unadilla a mission 
to this end, which the Indian chief Brant had taken pains 
to oppose and thwart. 

In reply to a proclamation issued by him for a force to 
go to the relief of Fort Stanwix and its brave defenders, 
every patriot heart was stirred, and though some of his 
OAvn family refused to join him, and even went over to the 
side of the enemy, he succeeded in assembling together at 
Fort Dayton, now Herkimer village, on the 4th of August, 
1777, about 800 fighting men. Each farmer seized his trusty 
musket and, leaving his plow in the furrow, hurried to the 



56 

rendezvous. The ueed was urgent and the time for pre- 
paration so brief that the Scotch-Irish of Cherry Valley, 
always foremost, nearly lost the opportunity of taking 
their share in the expedition of succor. 

The principal rallying point was German Flats, and here 
gathered Colonels Klock, Visscher, Cox, Bellinger, with 
whatever luimber of their regiments, as well as volunteers, 
could be collected ; there also came the Committee of 
Safety of Tryon County. 

Through information given by Molly, the sister of Joseph 
Brant and wife of Johnson, St. Leger was made acquainted 
with this projected movement of the patriots, who were by 
this time hurrying forward without order or protection 
against flanking jiarties. 

Thomas Spencer and others of the friendly Oneidas who 
were with General Herkimer besought him to send out 
scouts and move cautiously, and he promised to do so ; but 
when, on the 5th of August, at Whitestone, he urged this 
course he was opposed by Colonels Cox, Paris, and others, 
who advised morehaste, and was even taunted with cow- 
ardice. Great as he knew the danger must be, and feeling 
as he did that he was as it were the father of his company, 
he reluctantly gave the order for an immediate advance, 
for this taunt was too much for his fiery spirit. 

By the orders of St. Leger, who knew he must at all haz- 
ards prevent any defeat at this juncture, scouts had been 
placed all along the trail, and Joseph Brant, with a force 
of picked men, had taken a position in ambush about the 
semi-circular ravine by the Oriskany Creek. 



57 

The message for assistance sent Colonel Gansevoort at 
the fort eight miles away had not been replied to. The 
morning was hot and sultry when, at 10 o'clock, the force 
of devoted men entered the fatal ravine. Suddenly the 
forest rang with the crack of rifles and the war-whoop of 
the savage, and the guards both front and rear were shot 
down by a volley which seemed to come out from every 
tree of the forest. The fierce Mohawks sprang from their 
coverts tomahawk in hand, the rear-guard led by Colonel 
Fischer was cut off entirely, most of the force being taken 
prisoners and many of them killed on the spot. By the 
fatal circle formed by the enemy, the baggage and ammu- 
nition wagons were also cut off and separated from the 
main body. General Ilerkimer fell wounded in the early 
I)art of the action, a ball having killed his horse and shat- 
tered liis leg just below the knee. When it was suggested 
he should be removed from the field he refused, say- 
ing, "I shall face the enemy," and his saddle being placed 
at the foot of a tree he sat upon it, coolly smoking his pipe 
while he gave his orders with telling effect. His men 
standing each one alone behind a tree would fire his piece, 
and, then, before he could reload, the watchful savage 
would immediately rush upon him with the tomahawk. 
Noting this manoeuvre, the wary general immediately or- 
dered them to fight in couples, so that when the enemy 
would hurry to murder the one who had just fired he would 
bo shot down by the other. 

This made the fray more terrible for the foe, though the 

5 



58 

loss of the patriots was severe enough. Colonel Cox, who 
had that morning accused General Herkimer of cowardice, 
and Captains Davis and Van Sluyck were killed, and the 
whole patriot force was terribly broken up. 

On the enemy's side the Indians had become disheart- 
ened by the loss of so many of their warriors, and the 
*' Johnson Greens," a body of men from the Dutch and 
German settlements, were ordered to their help. The con- 
flict now became fiercer than ever, as the men on each side 
recognized one another as neighbors, kindred, and even 
brothers. The closer the relationship the more deadly the 
encounter. There were no British soldiers, Hessians, or 
professional lighters there, but New York men, children of 
the soil almost exclusively. There were no lines, no fort, 
no artillery, but men fighting hand-to-hand with knife, 
musket, spear, hatchet, foot-to-foot, swaying and strug- 
gling over the bodies of the dead and slipping in their 
blood. The vale of Oriskany became the scene of the 
maddening slaughter ; neighbors slew their neighbors, and 
brothers clasped brothers in deadly embrace. Never, even 
at Thermopylae, did men stand a charge with more daunt- 
less courage— a courage born of that grand spiritual force 
which had made liberty to their ancestors as dear as life 
itself. Three men charged upon Captain Gardenier, so his- 
tory tells us, who transfixed them one by one with his pike. 

Captain Dillenback also being attacked by a party beat 
one to the ground, shot another, and bayoneted a third be- 
fore he fell himself* 



59 

For six long hours, under a burning sun, without even 
water to refresh themselves, this battle waged without ces- 
sation, except when a severe thunder-storm came down 
with such fury that the combatants were compelled to seek 
shelter. 

At length firing was heard in the distance from the fort, 
—the answer to the long-delayed message of Herkimer,— 
and the sound was as welcome to the patriots as it was 
astounding to the enemy. Soon Colonel Willett, with his 
force, appeared on the field of battle. The Indians, taking 
fright, raised the cry of "Oonah" (retreat) and fled pre- 
cipitately ; so also did the Tories and the "Greens," amidst 
the shouts and hurrahs of the militia of Tryon County, 
who were left masters of the field. Colonel Willett cap- 
tured twenty-one wagon-loads of baggage, clothing, and 
provisions, and five British flags, which he bore back in 
triumph underneath the folds of the Stars and Stripes,— the 
flag those heroes had made tvith their oum hands. 

A descendant of one of those who fought at Saratoga 
said to the writer : " It was fitting that this battle should 
be the occasion for the first raising of the American stand- 
ard in victory. If the Declaration of Independence was 
the inception of a new nation, the bloody ravine of Oris- 
kany was the place of its birth." 

Colonel Paris was captured by the Indians and after- 
wards cruelly murdered, as were other prisoners, after they 
reached Colonel Butler's quarters. Major John Frey, of 
Colonel Klock's regiment, was wounded and taken pris- 



60 

oner; his own brother, who was in the British service, at- 
tempted to take his life. 

Almost every member of the Committee of Safety, and, 
in fact, every prominent man in the Mohawk Valley, was 
killed. Death was in every house. After the battle. Dr. 
Petrie, one of the survivors of the Committee of Safety, 
though himself severely wounded, dressed General Herki- 
mer's leg and saw him sent on a litter tohis home. It was 
there in that old house, which is still standing, as I am 
told by one whose ancestor wa j in Colonel Willett's regi- 
ment, that this brave Christian soldier died, with the open 
Bible in his hand. lie died not from the wound being 
fatal, but from unskillful amputation. 

The number of the Provincial militia in killed was 200, 
exclusive of wounded and prisoners, and the loss of the 
enemy was equally severe if not greater, especially among 
the Indians. Neither at Waterloo nor Austerlitz was the 
slaughter greater in proportion. 

La Fayette once declared that there were only skirmishes, 
no battles, in the American Eevolution. As compared 
with the battles in Europe this is true ; but with the meager 
population of our country in 1777 these "skirmishes " had 
a significance equal to the actions at Lodi, Austerlitz, 
Leipsic, and Waterloo. Colonel Willett's sally from the 
fort with 200 men and 50 more to guard the light iron three- 
pound cannon was every way successful, and the charge 
was made with such celerity that Sir John Johnson, who 
was in his tent divested of his coat, had no time to even 



61 

put it on before his camp was attacked and liis force 
routed, as were also the Indians ; and all Sir John John- 
son's baggage, papers, order-books, etc., were captured. 
For this exploit Congress presented Colonel Willett with a 
vote of thanks and an elegant sword. 

So, also, in appreciation of the great services rendered 
by General Herkimer, Congress requested the (3overnor 
and Council of New York to erect a monument to his 
memory, but this was not done ; but the State, however, 
did honor to itself by giving his name to one of the coun- 
ties formed out of the division of Tryon County. 

After the battle Colonel Samuel Campbell, then senior 
oflGicer, reorganized the shattered patriot force and led 
them in good order back to Fort Dayton. 

For sixteen days St. Leger lay before Fort Stanwix, 
which, in spite of peremptory demands and many lies, 
Colonel Gansevoort refused to surrender. 

Colonel Willett, at tremendous risks, made a rapid 
march to Albany to obtain relief, which through Philip 
Schuyler's effort was granted, Benedict Arnold promptly 
offering his services, and on August 20th, with 800 volun- 
teers, the latter reached Fort Dayton, and issued, as Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Army of the United States of 
America in the Mohawk Valley, a proclamation denounc- 
ing St. Leger as a "leader of banditti, robbers, and mur- 
derers." 

When on the 24th, with an added force of militia, he 
arrived at Fort Stanwix, St. Leger had raised the siege, 



and in great fear of his Indian allies, who had already 
commenced to rob his camp, he fled, leaving his tents, 
artillery, and stores spoils to the garrison. His men threw 
away their packs in their flight, and St. Leger's rout was 
complete. 

And so this key to the heart of the original union, this 
the very eye of the campaign of 1777, was held secure for 
the patriot cause. 

And in a moral sense how great was the victory when 
we remember that the threatened and almost expected 
Tory uprising for the king never occurred, and instead 
disafi'ected yeomanry came out as brave patriots, and gave 
such a check to St. Leger as forced Burgoyne to take the 
risk which brought on him the defeat at Bennington and 
finally his surrender at Saratoga. This once famous gen- 
eral found himself in a sorry dilemma. He had been sent 
to America by a new ministry, whose existence was largely 
staked upon his success. Generals Howe and Carleton 
had been superseded, great hopes had been entertained of 
his success, and to a remarkable degree his progress from 
Canada to Saratoga had been triumphal. But now he had 
been effectually circumvented by General Schuyler. West- 
ern New York was lost, his troops had been driven from 
New England, and his only chance was to eff'ect a union 
with Sir Henry Clinton at Albany. 

We all know the result. The leaders in New England 
were jealous of General Schuyler, and a faction in Con- 
gress often operated prejudicially to the American cause. 



General Gates, a rival of the Oomniander-in-Cbief, was 
sent to supersede the brave New Yorker, who nevertheless 
remained and gave what assistance he might to his suc- 
cessor. 

Sir Henry Clinton had made his way up the Hudson, 
burning towns on his route, when he learned of the capit- 
ulation at Saratoga. An army was lost, and the fact be- 
came patent that now only artifice and diplomacy could 
be successful. Pride on the part of the British king alone 
prolonged the contest, but the convention at Saratoga had 
assured the event. 

The battle of Oriskauy had turned the scale. While the 
battle of Bennington was won by Yankees, that of Oris- 
kany by Dutch and German yeomanry, the militia at Sara- 
toga came from both of these alike. " One of my grand- 
fathers carried his musket there from Worcester County, 
Massachusetts," I heard one of Jersey's patriots say ; and 
almost every family in l!^ew England can tell a like story. 

Now one thing seems plain to us all ; a greater meed of 
honor is due than has yet been given to the heroes of Ger- 
man Flats. Keason is, they have always been a clannish 
people, often speaking a diflerent language and disrelish- 
ing English literature. The population in that region has 
been in too great a degree left out of our American histo- 
ries. It should be our pride as Sons of the Revolution to 
see that this fault, if it exists, is corrected. 

Oriskany was well named in the Indian tongue the 
'• place of nettles." Surely out of these nettles of danger 



64 

brave Nicholas Herkimer plucked the Rose of Safetj-, for 
not only the Mohawk Valley, but the whole nation. In 
these days of foreign innovations and indiflferentisni, when 
party spirit strains fierce and hard upon the conscience 
and free-will of the citizen, let us, the sons of Eevolution- 
ary sires, stand firm in the faith of those brave Scotch, 
Dutch, and Huguenot fathers, and maintain to the utter- 
most and ever unimpaired the matchless institutions 
which they have handed down to us. 



OUR FRENCH ALLIES 



IN THE 



EEYOLUTION 



AND OTHER ADDRESSES. 



J. C. PUMPELLY. V>.. r-^^^Z 




MORRISTOWN- 



NEW JERSEY. 



montahue & selvage, 
Steam Book and Job Printers, 

MoRRisTOWN, New Jersey. 



:i-* 



